What action should you take first if your vehicle's brakes fail?

In the event of brake failure, the most effective first action to take is to pump the brake pedal, shift to a lower gear, and steer off the road if necessary. Pumping the brake pedal can often help build up pressure in the brake system, potentially providing some braking power, especially if the brake failure is due to a temporary loss of pressure. Shifting to a lower gear helps slow down the vehicle through engine braking, which can further aid in reducing speed as you seek a safe place to pull over.

Steering off the road is crucial because it helps to avoid potential collisions and allows you to come to a stop in a safer area. This strategy combines both immediate actions to regain control of the vehicle and longer-term management by identifying a safe location to stop.

While using the emergency brake or calling for roadside assistance are important aspects of handling brake failure, those actions typically come after attempting to maintain control of the vehicle first. Turning off the ignition immediately can lead to a loss of control as power steering is lost, complicating the situation further.